World Mental Health Day is officially commemorated annually on October 10th and was observed for the first time in 1992. It was started as an annual activity of the World Federation for Mental Health by the then Deputy Secretary General Richard Hunter. This day aims to raise public awareness about mental health issues and the need to promote open discussion of mental disorders, and investments in prevention, promotion and treatment services. Mental disorders affect nearly 12 percent of the world’s population and 1/4 people around the world will experience a mental illness that would benefit from diagnosis and treatment. The theme for 2014 is 'Living with schizophrenia'. Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder, characterized by profound disruptions in thinking, affecting language, perception, and the sense of self. It often includes psychotic experiences, such as hearing voices or delusions. Schizophrenia typically begins in late adolescence or early adulthood. Schizophrenia affects about 24 million people worldwide, however most cases of schizophrenia are treatable.. Join us in raising more global awareness about Mental Health!